Helping Connecticut Friends Get to the Amtrak Auto Train

I’ll happily drive you and your car from Connecticut to the Amtrak Auto Train in Lorton, VA
…or bring you and your car home from Lorton back to Connecticut

Hi, I’m Jim Fuhrmann from West Hartford, Connecticut. I’m happy to help anyone who can’t — or would rather not — make the drive to or from the Amtrak Auto Train in Lorton, VA by themselves.

I completed the exact trip (November 20–22, 2025) while helping a family friend move to Florida. I stayed in Grantville, PA the first night and Woodbridge, VA the second night, after seeing our friend off at the Amtrak Auto Train station in Lorton. My expenses — including lodging, an Amtrak return ticket from Woodbridge, VA to Hartford, CT, meals, and Ubers in Lorton, Woodbridge, and Hartford — came to $770.22.

One moment from that drive still sticks with me.
As we passed the beautiful “Blessed Mother” statue on US-15 near Emmitsburg, my passenger, who is deeply religious, got emotional and told me how much it meant to see her from the road. Little shared moments like that are why I enjoy doing this.

Honestly, I just love being behind the wheel, discovering little moments on the road, meeting new friends, and making new memories. If I can turn that into making someone’s move or snowbird season easier and less stressful, it’s a perfect day for me.

I take the comfortable, scenic route I now know well — I-84 to I-81 to US-15 through Gettysburg to I-270/I-495 to I-95, with an overnight around Harrisburg — so we always arrive at Lorton rested and on schedule.

Here's all I ask

• You cover my round-trip expenses — $700 – $800 depending on the week, hotel fees, meals, Ubers (taxis), and train fares. I give you every receipt.
• Anything you choose to add on top as a thank-you for my time (2–3 full days away from home) is completely optional and deeply appreciated.

Just to be perfectly clear — you take care of your own Auto Train tickets, your hotel room(s), and your meals. I only ask to be reimbursed for whatever I actually spend out of my own pocket on the trip (my hotel night(s), my meals, train ticket home, Ubers, etc.).

This is not a business — just one neighbor helping another neighbor. I can only take 4–6 trips a year so I can keep it personal and enjoyable.

This is perfect for...

• Snowbirds who dread the drive
• Anyone with night-driving, back, or anxiety issues
• Folks moving to Florida who want their own car waiting in Sanford

If this would be a big help to you or someone you know, call or text me at span-p. If the dates work, I’m happy to help.

A Few Quick Auto Train Tips

• Book your Auto Train tickets and vehicle spot early — especially November–April. Prices jump and it sells out. More info ➔
• Plan to arrive in Lorton the day before your train if possible. Traffic around D.C. can add a few hours.
• Amtrak requires you at the station no later than 2 hours before departure (sometimes 2½–3 hours for SUVs/vans). Don’t cut it close!
• Bring a small overnight bag — once your car is loaded you won’t see it again until Sanford.
• Turn off your car alarm and leave only about ¼ tank of gas (saves weight and Amtrak prefers it).
• Priority Vehicle Offloading ($60 extra) is worth it if you want to be on the road fast when you reach Florida.
• The Lorton station address for GPS:
  8006 Lorton Road, Lorton, VA 22079
• The Lorton station website address:
  https://www.amtrak.com/stations/lor
• Amtrak's main phone number:
  span-p

A Few More Quick Tips From the Road

• Get your car serviced before you leave — fresh oil, good tires, and a quick brake check save a lot of worry.
• A current AAA (or AAA-Plus) membership is worth its weight in gold on a long trip — free towing, lock-out help, and peace of mind.
• Pack a small “car bag” you can keep up front: phone charger, water bottle, snacks, sunglasses, and any meds you might need.
• Download offline Google Maps for the route — cell service gets spotty on parts of I-81 and US-15.
• Keep a printed copy of your Auto Train confirmation and vehicle tag number handy — sometimes the barcode on your phone won’t scan quickly at check-in.
• Leave only about ¼ tank of gas when you arrive in Lorton (Amtrak prefers it and you’ll save a few bucks).
• Bring comfortable slip-on shoes for the train — you’ll be walking through several cars to the diner or lounge.
• If you’re returning north in the spring, book early — the northbound Auto Train sells out faster than southbound.

Ready to Travel? Let's Check Your Dates

Call, text, or email me your travel dates — I'll check my availability and let you know right away!

Safe travels 😊🙏
Jim Fuhrmann
West Hartford, Connecticut
📱 Call/Text: span-p
✉️ Email: span-e
📚 VMIPub: @JimFuhrmann

References happily provided!